Discovery and validation of non-canonical antigens for Hepatocellular Carcinoma immunotherapy

The current paradigm in HCC treatment is immunotherapy, specifically leveraging T-cell recognition of tumor-specific antigens. This preprint operates within this established paradigm.

This research focuses on the discovery and validation of non-canonical antigens (ncORFs) for HCC immunotherapy. It uses established methods like RNA sequencing, mass spectrometry, and ELISpot assays within the existing immunotherapy framework. The study identifies promising ncORF-derived peptides and investigates their potential as neoantigens. This work contributes to the body of knowledge within the current paradigm of immunotherapy by expanding the pool of potential therapeutic targets, thereby representing normal science. While there is a novelty aspect in exploring ncORFs for immunotherapy, the research doesn't challenge or seek to replace the existing paradigm. Instead, it refines and extends current understanding. Therefore, it is best classified as normal science, possibly bordering on model drift, as it explores under-investigated areas within the existing model.